Can-opener.



.No. 759,908. 'PATENTED MAY 17, 1904.

0. B. OVERS. CAN OPENER.

APPLIUATION FILED FEB. 24, 1904.

N0 MODEL.

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I 3y E Patented May 17, 1904.

PATENT ()FFICE.

CURTIS E. OVERS, OF ASHLAND, OHIO.

CAN-OPENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 759,908, dated May 17, 1904.

Application filed. February 24, 1904. Serial No. 195,090. (No model.)

To ail wit/2172 it may concern:

Be it known that I, CURTIS E. Ovnns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ashland, Ohio,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Openers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in can-openers, and has for its object the production of an article of this kind which will be simple and positive in its operation, which will be readily adjustable to any size can, and

of which the cost of manufacture will be small.

Vith this objectin View my invention consists of the construction herein described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my invention. Fig. 2 is a bottom view. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the adjustable point. Fig. 4 is a detail of the cutter. Fig. 5 is a modification.

In its preferred form my invention consists of a metal bar A, having a handle B. In this bar a slot C is formed, beginning near the forward end and extending to a point near its rear end. Between the rear end of this slot and the handle B is the cutter D, provided with a shoulder (Z. The cutter-bladeand shoulder are preferably made of a single piece of metal, the cutter-blade being formed with adouble edge and the shoulder being segmental in form, its greatest diameter being in the center of the cutter-blade. The shoulder forms a bearing for the cutter and limits the penetration of the blade. This shoulder conforms to the arc of a circle ofv such a diameter that when the center of the shoulder rests upon the top of the can the cutting edge of the blade on each side of the cutter extends some distance above the tin to be cut, thus giving a free cutting edge, which prevents all binding. The cutter may be secured to the bar A in any suitable manner; but in the form shown in the drawings I have formed a projection on the upper side of the cutter which extends through an opening in the bar and is then upset just enough to retain it in place, but which will allow it to be readily removed if it is desired to renew the same.

Pivotally mounted in the slot C and sliding freely therein is the center joint E, provided on its lower portion with screw-threads e. Secured to this center joint beneath the bar A is the plate F, having a convex upper surface and a concave lower surface. The upper surface of this plate forms the lower bearing upon which the point slides in the slot C, and being convex only a small portion of it comes in contact with the bar, thus affording a minimum resistance to the free motion of the point. When the center point E has penetrated the top of the can, the threads 0 engage the broken edge of the top and prevent the withdrawal of the point. I have found that if the bearingplate F be made with its under surface flatthat is, if that portion of the plate immediately adjacent the point bears upon the cantopany twisting or irregular motion of the bar A tends to disengage the threads 0 from the can-top, allowing the point to slip out of the same. To avoid this, I have made the plate F with its under side concave, as at f, with only its outer circumference touching the can-top. This construction allows the tin immediately surrounding the points sufficient play to accommodate itself to any twisting or irregularity in the motion of the bar A. It also furnishes space for a greater number of threads on the center point. The lower edge of the bearing-plate F and the lower edge of the shoulder 01 on the cutter D are exactly the same distance from the bar A. Thus when both the point E and the center D have penetrated the can-top the bar A is perfectly level and prevents all binding of the cutter-blade.

When it is desirable to do so, I may have both the cutter and the center point mounted in the slot and sliding therein, as shown in Fig. 5.

What I claim is 1. In a can-opener, the combination with a bar, ahandle therefor and a cutter, of a slot in said bar, a center point mounted in said slot and a bearing-plate on said center point, said bearing-plate having its under surface concave, substantially as described.

2. In a can-opener, the combination with a bar, a handle therefor and a cutter, of a slot in said bar, a center point mounted in said slot and a bearing-plate on said center point, said bearing-plate having its under surface concave and its upper surface convex, substantially as described. 10

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CURTIS E. OVERS.

\Vitnesses:

J OHN V. KELLER, (JIIAs. J. KENNY. 

